Bronco combo coming
BRONCOS coach Wayne Bennett says he is still searching for his best combinations after he returned captain Darius Boyd to fullback for tomorrow’s derby against the Cowboys.
Bennett has made a number of positional switches for the crucial Townsville clash that Brisbane must win to have any chance of a top-four finish.
After a three-game stint at left centre, Boyd will move rookie-of-the-year contender Jamayne Isaako to the right wing where he will replace the axed Jordan Kahu.
Teenager Gehamat Shibasaki will make his NRL debut at left centre against North Queensland as Bennett searches for a way to spark the Broncos after last week’s dreadful loss to Canterbury.
The electric Isaako did little wrong in his brief stint at fullback and is Brisbane’s longterm No.1.
But Bennett said he was moving Boyd into his favoured role in a bid to find Brisbane’s most potent set- up ahead of the finals.
“He’s done a good job there for us, Jamayne,” he said.
“I’m going to put Darius back there. I never said it was permanent or temporary either. We’ve got four weeks to go in the season and we’ll see if we can nail a few things we need to nail.”
After playing one NRL game last year, Isaako has been a revelation for the Broncos in 2018.
The 22-year-old has committed to the Broncos until 2022 and will replace Boyd in the No.1 jersey permanently in the not too distant future.
He is somewhat unlucky to be moved from fullback but Isaako said he was not disappointed in Bennett’s decision.
“There are a couple of key positional changes this week,” he said.
“Wayne is making a few changes for a game we want to win this week. With Darius having a lot more experience, he could be chucking him back at fullback.
“It’s been good to get back there and a feel for playing fullback at the top level.”